Snyder mulls Va. lt. governor bid

Pete Snyder, a Republican and northern Virginia technology executive, is stepping away from the firm he founded and considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2013, POLITICO has learned.

Snyder is leaving New Media Strategies, the Arlington-based social media firm he founded, to create a venture capital start-up that will invest in “disruptive technologies,” particularly those in Virginia.

Story Continued Below

A Pennsylvania native and Alexandria resident, Snyder has in recent years become more involved in Virginia politics. He was a major backer of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign and remains close to the governor. McDonnell appointed Snyder to the board of the College of William & Mary, his alma mater, and tapped the CEO to head a state GOP fundraising committee dedicated to the 2012 elections.

“I’m excited about starting a new, Virginia-based company, Disruptor Capital, and doing all I can next year to ensure the commonwealth goes into the ‘R’ column what will be the most important election in a generation,” said Snyder.

He created New Media Strategies in 1999 and made it into a pioneering social media company, nudging clients to embrace Facebook and Twitter before such technologies were widely popular. Snyder sold the firm five years ago, but remained there until his resignation Wednesday.

McDonnell issued a statement praising Snyder.

“Pete’s foresight, hard work and perseverance have turned what started as a good idea in his rental apartment 12 years ago into an industry leader and an employer of 150,” said the governor, adding that Snyder would “play an integral role in our efforts in this crucial upcoming election year.”

Snyder, 39, is married to Burson Snyder, a top adviser to Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).

By getting involved with Virginia businesses as a route to a statewide candidacy, Snyder is following a path previously trod by such figures as Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.).

Snyder’s move is the latest development in the jockeying for elections that are nearly two years away. With Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, both Republicans, making clear their intent to run for governor when McDonnell’s single term is up, a number of GOP officials have begun eying the commonwealth’s two down-ballot offices.